Product Code Database
Chandrapur (earlier known as Chanda, the official name until 1964) is a city and a municipal corporation in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra state, India. It is the district headquarters of Chandrapur district. Chandrapur is a fort city founded by Khandkya Ballal Shah, a Gond kingdom of the 13th century. The city sits at the confluence of the Erai river River and Zarpat river. The area around the city is rich in coal seams.. Hence, Chandrapur is also known as the "Black Gold City".
The founding legend of Chandrapur, is rooted in the legend of Chanda Kingdom's king Khandkya Ballal Sah (1437-62 CE) of Sirpur, who was afflicted with tumors. Guided by his wife, he relocated to the Wardha River's north bank, establishing Ballarpur. During a hunt, he discovered a spring on the Zarpat River's dry bed, its waters miraculously healing his ailment. Upon further investigation, the spring revealed cow footprints in rock, deemed a holy site, "Tirtha of Acalesvar", the Achaleshwar Temple group in Chandrapur was erected there after the deity appeared to the king in a dream. Later, witnessing a hare chase his dog, the king, following his wife's advice, founded a fortified city, Chandrapur, avoiding the spot where the hare was killed, deemed unlucky. This narrative combines myth and local lore to explain the city's establishment and the significance of its sacred spring.
In 1874, three were created: Viz Mul, Warora and Bramhpuri. The upper Godavai district of Madras was abolished and four tehsils were added to Chandrapur to form one tehsil with Sironcha, approximately 150 km to the south, as its centre of governance. In 1895, the headquarters was transferred to Chandrapur. In 1905, a new tehsil with headquarters at Gadchiroli was created through the transfer of estates from Bramhpuri and Chandrapur tehsil. In 1907, a small area of land was transferred from Chandrapur to the newer districts and another area of about 1560 km2, comprising three divisions of the lower Sironcha tehsil (Cherla, Albak and Nugir) were transferred to Madras State. Between 1911 and 1955, no major changes occurred in the boundaries of the district or its tehsils.
Chandrapur lies at the confluence of the Erai and Zarpat rivers. The Erai river has a history of flooding. Flood marks are seen on the walls of the city. In the north of the city, a dam is constructed on the river Erai, having the capacity of 207 million cubic meters. The Gaontideo Nala originates from the uplands of the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station. The Macchhi Nala originates from uplands of Central Forest Rangers College.
Chandrapur lies on terrain rich in coal. Chandrapur is called a "geological museum" as there is a large variety of rocks as well as commercially valuable minerals and fossils. Samples of such rocks are collected at the Suresh Chopane Rock Museum.9780070667723, Tata McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 9780070667723
The monsoon season falls between June and September. Chandrapur's average annual rainfall is 1249.4 mm. The average number of rainy days is 59.2.
Chandrapur has been ranked 20th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results'
Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, the conference on Marathi literature, has been held twice in Chandrapur, in 1979 (Chair Vaman Krushna Chorghade) and in 2012 (Chair Vasant Aabaji Dahake).
In 2016, the inaugural All India Gondi Religious Convention was convened by the Central Provinces and Berar Gondwana Samaj Sewa Samiti in Warora, 30 km north west of Chandrapur. The chair was Raja Virshah Krushnashah Atram, a descendant of Khandkya Ballal Sah and current titular Gond king of Chandrapur.
| 2001 Census India 2001. | 151202 | 138248 | 289450 | - |
| 2011 Census India 2011. | 164085 | 156294 | 320379 | 0.107 |
Chandrapur railway station is managed by the Nagpur CR railway division of the Central Railway. It lies on the New Delhi–Chennai main line. The Chanda Fort railway station is managed by the Nagpur SEC railway division of the South East Central Railway. It lies on the Balharshah–Gondia line. Other railway stations within city limits are Vivekanand Nagar railway station, Babupeth railway station and Choti Padoli railway station.
Chandrapur Airport, operated by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company, is situated near Morwa on MH SH 264, about 12 km from the city. The airstrip is 950 m in length. Development of the airport is limited by surrounding obstructions, particularly the thermal power plant. Hence, the MADC is building a greenfield airport at Vihirgaon, 40 kilometres from Chandrapur. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur.
Other industries include Thermal energy, cement making, paper manufacturing, and ferro alloy manufacturing.
Mahakali Mandir (temple) is an often frequented temple in Chandrapur. The ancient temple was built by Dhundya Ram Sah, of Gond Dynasty around the 16th century. Tuesdays are a particularly significant day to visit. Within the mandir there is a small Ganesh temple and a Hanuman temple. At the two temple entrances, there are small shops for puja (worship) supplies such as coconut, flowers and cloth. Items for home décor and puja décor are sold near the temple. Near the rear entrance there is a Shani temple.
Within the temple are two (idols). One associated with Lingam is a standing idol decorated with red, yellow and orange cloths. The other is in a reclining position below the ground level, and devotees must walk in a tunnel to reach it. Inside the temple, a priest is present to assist visitors with puja and offerings. A trust administers the temple. Dharmashalas provide accommodation for pilgrims. The annual yatra (fair) takes place in April, entertaining the followers of Mahakali and the citizens of Chandrapur.
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Official website of Chandrapur district
|
|
